POLICE have defended the use of the force helicopter after three arrests were made following a burglary in the early hours of today.

Greater Manchester Police received a complaint about the noise after the helicopter was scrambled to the Daubhill area as officers were called to reports of a burglary at a house on Broxton Avenue at 4am.

Police said that with help from the National Police Air Service (NPAS), they detained a 17-year-old boy, and an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old man on suspicion of burglary.

All three males remain in police custody for questioning.

A neighourhood police spokesman said: "Greater Manchester Police did receive a complaint regarding the noise of the police helicopter so early in the morning.

" Prior to NPAS assisting in locating the three males, they were helping to locate a high risk missing 19-year-old female.

"Whilst we can understand how the noise of the helicopter can be disruptive in the night, we have a duty to protect vulnerable people."

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